Skywater Technology Wiki

SkyWater Technology is a U.S.-based pure-play semiconductor foundry specializing in custom process development, legacy node manufacturing, and radiation-hardened (rad-hard) solutions. Headquartered in Bloomington, Minnesota, SkyWater is one of only a few U.S.-owned and operated fabs, offering secure, domestic production of microelectronics critical to defense, aerospace, automotive, and industrial sectors.

SkyWater is distinct for its Technology as a Service (TaaS) model, providing customers with early access to new semiconductor processes while enabling rapid prototyping and commercialization. The company operates with a strong emphasis on technology enablement, trusted manufacturing, and collaborative development with industry, government, and academic partners.

Key Facts

 Business Model

SkyWater is built around a “Technology as a Service” (TaaS) model:

• Co-development partnerships for custom semiconductor processes

• Foundry services for volume production of secure and legacy designs

• Government contracts for defense and critical infrastructure

• Open-source hardware initiatives (e.g. collaboration with Google on SKY130 PDK)

Technologies & Capabilities

• SKY130/90: 130nm and 90nm process nodes, including open-source PDKs

• Radiation-Hardened by Design (RHBD): for aerospace and defense

• Superconducting Electronics: in partnership with companies like Rigetti Computing

• MEMS and Photonics: MEMS sensors and integrated photonics platforms

• Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs): experimental work with DARPA/ARPA-E

Foundries & Expansions

• Bloomington, MN: Flagship 200mm facility (former Cypress fab)

• Purdue University West Lafayette, IN: SkyWater-led U.S. Department of Commerce-backed project (announced 2022)

• Florida Fabrication Facility & Capabilities. Through a partnership with Osceola County, Florida, SkyWater is now the sole operator of the state-of-the-art Center for Neovation where we are onshoring the next generation of advanced packaging. 200 mm equipment, and a 36,000 sq ft cleanroom 

• June 30, 2025 – SkyWater has completed its acquisition of Infineon’s 200 mm semiconductor fab in Austin, Texas (“Fab 25”).

Government & Defense Partnerships

SkyWater is a key U.S. defense semiconductor supplier, supporting:

• DARPA programs (e.g. Electronics Resurgence Initiative)

• Department of Defense Trusted Foundry needs

• Department of Commerce for CHIPS Act initiatives

• Radiation-hardened electronics for satellites and aerospace

Financial & Strategic Notes

• IPO raised ~$100M in 2021, signaling growing investor interest in U.S.-based semiconductor manufacturing

• Revenue (2024): ~$270 million

• Partnered with Google, DARPA, Purdue, and Intel on various open-source and R&D programs

Notable Quotes

“We are reimagining how the U.S. brings differentiated semiconductor technologies to market, from development through volume production.”
— Thomas Sonderman, CEO of SkyWater Technology

“SkyWater’s TaaS model is a game-changer. It gives startups and defense customers a runway to bring innovation to silicon quickly, securely, and affordably.”
— Steve Kosier, CTO of SkyWater

“A resilient domestic semiconductor supply chain needs companies like SkyWater—trusted, agile, and focused on secure production.”
— Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo (2022 CHIPS Act press release)

“The open-source SKY130 initiative is about democratizing silicon. SkyWater has made it possible for a whole new class of designers to fabricate chips.”
— Mike Wirthlin, BYU Professor & DARPA contractor

“SkyWater isn’t trying to compete at the bleeding edge. It’s filling a vital gap—trusted U.S. production for high-reliability markets.”
— Doug Carlson, Analyst at Needham & Company

Timeline of Key Milestones

Strategic Positioning

SkyWater is not chasing bleeding-edge nodes like TSMC or Intel. Instead, it focuses on:

• Secure & legacy manufacturing

• Defense-grade electronics

• Rapid R&D enablement

• U.S. domestic supply chain resilience

It occupies a strategic niche essential to the national interest and is increasingly viewed as a cornerstone of the U.S. CHIPS Act industrial strategy.

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